Chapter 1367: Unlucky Enough

Chapter 1367: Chapter 1367: Unlucky Enough

The patient’s condition really shocked Liu Banxia. Because if syphilis is indeed diagnosed, it is highly contagious.

And judging by the young man’s current condition, it has probably progressed to stage three. This means his initial onset was at least three years ago.

"Aren’t you going to buy lottery tickets today?" Wang Chao leaned over to him.

"Anyway, I think given the current situation, the chances of winning the lottery are pretty high. A patient with a mitochondrial genetic disease and another with stage three syphilis, amazing."

"Wrong, this is just suspected." Liu Banxia said seriously.

"Who are you kidding? It can basically be diagnosed. The scar tissue on his hands and body comes from rashes breaking open." Wang Chao said.

"The patient also has this so-called good habit of loving cleanliness. Is that cleanliness? It’s because he knows his own situation and is afraid of infecting his parents."

"But I’m puzzled, it’s not like the old days now, even if you have syphilis, there shouldn’t be any problems with active treatment, right? How did it progress to stage three?"

"Sigh... I suppose the initial treatment was not thorough. This thing is actually quite troublesome, and now my biggest concern is whether his current condition is more malignant or benign." Liu Banxia sighed.

"Stage three often invades organs inside the body, and given his current symptoms, I think it’s very likely. Once the diagnosis results are out, we should take a thorough look."

He also knows there’s basically no avoiding it. What Wang Chao just said are also part of his diagnostic basis.

Scar tissue so special on the body, if there’s just one or two patches, it might be nothing. But to have so many now, that’s very unusual.

Of course, besides lab tests, more detailed physical examinations can be done for the patient. Typically, syphilis rashes appear around the perineum and anus.

But since his parents are present, and there are more accurate methods of diagnosis now, there’s no need to be so direct.

"Should this be reported to the higher-ups?" Wang Chao asked.

"It should be reported, considering its strong contagiousness. Plus, it easily transmits congenitally, which is quite troublesome. So much time has passed, and there’s no telling if he’s been careful in this aspect." Liu Banxia said.

People in society come in all types, and it’s really uncertain what might happen.

"Teacher Liu, it can be diagnosed now." Miao Rui came over.

"Alright, report it to the higher-ups. Let them handle the related inquiries, and we still need to treat him." Liu Banxia said with a wry smile.

"You go ahead. I’ll report this matter." Wang Chao nodded.

The dangers of stage three syphilis are too great, despite the young man’s surface symptoms not appearing so frightening. What’s really happening inside his body is truly uncertain.

His inebriated states, rhabdomyolysis—it might well be caused by syphilis.

"It’s been diagnosed: he has stage three syphilis. But whether it’s benign or malignant still awaits further examination." Liu Banxia said after coming to the side of the patient’s parents.

Upon hearing this news, the patient’s parents couldn’t accept it. But they know the doctors wouldn’t joke about such a thing, especially with such serious treatment just now.

"I know, he probably hasn’t told you anything." Liu Banxia said.

"We also need to examine carefully, to see how extensively syphilis has invaded his system. From current symptoms, it seems to have affected the central nervous system."

"So we’ll administer procaine penicillin via intramuscular injection, yet further tests are required to assess whether his internal organs and skeletal system are impacted."

"Thus, we will issue a series of test orders. In the meantime, we hope you can offer some explanation and comfort once he recovers slightly."

"Doctor, will Dahua die?" The patient’s mother asked.

"Currently, I can’t provide an accurate answer—it depends on how widespread the syphilis infection is. Has he any habits of smoking or drinking? And quite heavily at that?" Liu Banxia asked.

The patient’s mother nodded.

"For syphilis carriers, smokers, and drinkers, prognosis is often worse. Smoking and alcohol impact the human immune system significantly, which could explain insufficient early treatment."

He wanted to comfort the parents a bit, but right now there’s no use in comforting words. After all, if this disease truly turns malignant, it poses a big threat to life.

Administer the medication and examine the surface. Then perform thoracic and abdominal checks to assess for any disease impact.

Since this is Miao Rui’s patient, he’s in charge of what follows.

As the test results came out one by one, Liu Banxia didn’t know how to break them to the patient’s parents.

Multiple lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity were invaded; there were two small gumma on the liver. The right knee joint showed swelling and effusion, meaning it’s reached the joints.

And there was a three-centimeter aortic aneurysm on the ascending aortic arch, indicating cardiovascular system invasion.

"Old Chen, take a look at this aneurysm, will you?" Liu Banxia called over Chen Xuehai.

Chen Xuehai looked carefully, "In principle, syphilitic aneurysms this size can temporarily go unchecked—they rarely cause dissection rupture."

"Moreover, your patient has progressed this far; it’s certainly invaded the lungs and nearby lymphatics as well."

"Personally, I suggest conservative antiviral treatment first. With some improvement, consider surgery. Is the circular lesion on the liver a gumma?"

Liu Banxia nodded, "Now most of his bodily organs are invaded. At the liver, we’re planning a biopsy to check if it’s benign or malignant."

"Yet, historically, malignant cases occur more frequently than benign ones, especially with his widespread condition."

"Honestly, such cases aren’t common here. But I often encounter stage three cases among homeless individuals abroad," Chen Xuehai said.

"Either way, the young man delayed himself. Had he not concealed the illness and strictly followed medical advice, syphilis stages one and two have quite high cure rates."

"Wow, you’re very well-versed in this," Liu Banxia said.

"What’s this? It’s hardly enough—I almost meet one or two HIV carriers each month," Chen Xuehai replied nonchalantly.

"Things are too chaotic over there. The external glamour can never hide the underlying filth. Many well-dressed upper-middle-class individuals are just like this."

"Drug use is nearly legal, with parties held daily. Imagine the kind of situation it is. Even high-end communities are like this, although less open."

"Just like they show on TV?" Liu Banxia asked curiously.

Chen Xuehai laughed, "Some places are worse than depicted on TV—media portrayals are somewhat restrained."

Liu Banxia really didn’t know what to say. He felt that just now, his perception of the world was truly refreshed.

He also felt that living in Huaxia is indeed a blessing. At the very least, he’s free from these chaotic disturbances and doesn’t have to worry about random stray bullets.

After discussing with Chen Xuehai, he had to inform the patient’s parents of these findings.

To them, this was also a terrible blow. But just because the news is grim, doesn’t mean it should be withheld.

The real focus now is tracing backward. Throughout this long period, who knows how many people he’s harmed? And how many more will those harmed infect?

In a way, this young man is quite unlucky, even though stage three syphilis commonly invades the visceral system.

But more often, it affects the nervous system. Such extensive liver and cardiovascular symptoms are indeed rare.

If not, some people wouldn’t have the disease manifest after years of latency—it’s surely related to his lifestyle. Heavy smoking and drinking were damaging, giving syphilis an opportunity.

"Teacher Liu, am I to take a biopsy sample from the patient later?" Miao Rui asked.

"Mm, this patient is your responsibility. Also, pay more attention in daily care, don’t be careless," Liu Banxia instructed.

"Got it. I was really a bit anxious earlier, but now it’s fine." Miao Rui said with a smile.

"This patient’s admission also demonstrates how important it is to be thorough in protective measures when admitting patients," Liu Banxia said.

"Later, remind the interns not to slack off for convenience. Even if wearing masks and gloves is uncomfortable, they must wear them. Better safe than sorry."

Miao Rui nodded. He was also quite grateful.

Thanks to Liu Banxia’s usual reminders, he developed the habit of putting on gloves before consultations.

Otherwise, with today’s patient, who knows what might’ve happened?

There’s lunch during admissions; if carelessness led to some extent of hospital spread, how could he face people thereafter?

Now that the patient was placed in isolation, the situation is controlled, and safety during entry, exit, and care is the priority.

Stretching broadly, even without dealing with thrilling emergency rescues today, just these two cases were mentally exhausting.

This is part of being a doctor; there’s always some degree of risk.

Yet, it’s unavoidable—you can’t screen every patient for HIV and syphilis, or it’ll cause different issues.